Atlanta-Based FEMA Team in Tennessee to Support Federal Response to Tornado Strikes
Release Date: February 6, 2008
Release Number: R4-08-032
ATLANTA, Ga. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has deployed its Atlanta-based Federal Incident Response Support Team (FIRST) to Tennessee. Two mobile high-tech communications vehicles staffed by five team members left Dobbins Air Reserve Base at midnight last night and currently are based in Lafayette in Macon County.
FIRST is supporting federal and state leadership as they coordinate emergency support for the response effort by ensuring that essential communications channels remain accessible and operational. In addition to computers and cell phones, the self-contained vehicles include state-of -the-art satellite technology that will provide video-teleconferencing capability for federal, state and local emergency response officials.
There are two FIRSTs in the nation, one based in Atlanta and the other in Chicago. FIRST Atlanta most recently was deployed in October to assist with the federal response to the California wildfires.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 06-Feb-2008 13:23:20